Patsy Seddon is one of Scotland's best-known harpers, celebrated for her innovative work with the Poozies and Sileas. Fiona joins Patsy for a chat recorded live at the Perthshire Amber Festival.

Willie's Old Trousers...by the Poozies from Chantoozies (Hypertension)High Flying Seagull...by Dougie MacLean (with Patsy Seddon) from Craigie Dhu (Dunkeld) Tweedside/Mary Scott, the Flower of Yarrow...by Alison Kinnaird from The Silver String (Temple) The Kid on the Mountain...by Alison Kinnaird (with Patsy Seddon) from The Harp Key (Temple) The Judges Dilemma/The Inverness Gathering...by Sileas from Delighted With Harps (Green Linnet)May Colvin...by Sileas from Play on Light (Greentrax) Tha Mulad...by Sileas from Delighted With Harps (Green Linnet)[ID excerpt]) Miss Ann Cameron of Balvenie...by Sileas from Play on Light (Greentrax)Planxty Crockery/Domhnall Dubh...by Sileas from Play on Light (Greentrax) Hey How My Johnny Lad...by The Poozies from Dansoozies (Hypertension) Willie's Old Trousers...by the Poozies from Chantoozies (Hypertension)Another Train...by the Poozies from Chantoozies (Hypertension)Paddy...by The Poozies from Changed Days, Same Roots (Compass)

Program 1295: In Full Voice (March 20, 2008) Week 12

Voices of Celtic song are traditional, contemporary, harmonious, a capella, rousing, soothing. From the tradition-bearers to the singer-songwriters, enjoy the range of voices on The Thistle & Shamrock this week, with new releases from Kate Rusby, Michael Black, Sylvia Barnes, Luka Bloom and Karine Polwart. This full hour of strong voices says it all: traditional and contemporary song is thriving.

While contemporary Celtic musicians are often interested in forging a global fusion, some traditionalists are striving to preserve distinct regional voices. Hear excerpts from flute player Cathal McConnel’s collection of old County Fermanagh field recordings and more Irish gems from forty years of fiddle recordings captured in County Leitrim. We also find time to unearth hidden treasures from as far afield as Cornwall and Scotland.

"There are as many ways to play Irish music as there are people to play it. It is all about inhabiting the world of musical intangibles - the place that is governed by heart, soul, feeling and instinct." ~ Martin Hayes

If music is seasonal and spring is about renewal, now feels like a good time to check out what's new from Ireland and that includes contemporary and traditional voices and the latest from two fiddling greats. We also hear the full tracks of some Irish releases previewed on Thistlepod, including Eleanor McEvoy, Luka Bloom, and the solo debut from Michael Black. Finally, some of what's on offer this week is so brand new Fiona unwraps it as she goes: Frankie Gavin's Irish-American get together Jiggin' the Blues and the latest from long-time duo Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, Welcome Here Again.

Belle of Benbecula…by Funky String Band from And You May Find Yourself… (Shoogle)Music for The Witness: Lament for Hector (excerpt)…by Anna-Wendy Stevenson (not yet available) www.annawendy.comStrip the Willow (excerpt)…by The Benachally Ceilidh Band from Happy Feet (Smiddymade)Niel Gow’s Lament for the Death of his Second Wife…by Pete Clark from The Birnam Oak (Inver)Gallowglass (excerpt)…by Anna-Wendy Stevenson from Anna-Wendy Stevenson (Eclectic)Grand March (excerpt)…by The Glencraig Scottish Dance Band from Are Ye Askin? (Greentrax)Reel of the 51 Division (excerpt)… by The Glencraig Scottish Dance Band from Are Ye Askin? (Greentrax)Which Side Are You On?…by Dick Gaughan from True and Bold (Celtic)The Tap Session: Jigs (excerpt)… from private recording of J. Jauncey (not available) Visit DunkeldID Excerpt: Candle in the Bushel…by Funky String Band from And You May Find Yourself… (Shoogle)Music for The Witness: Lament for Hector (excerpt)…by Anna-Wendy Stevenson (not yet available) www.annawendy.comThe Tap Session: Jigs/Reels… from private recording of J. Jauncey (not available) Visit DunkeldGallowglass (excerpt)…by Anna-Wendy Stevenson from Anna-Wendy Stevenson (Eclectic)Going to Ma Hometown…by Funky String Band from And You May Find Yourself… (Shoogle)Music for The Witness…by Pete Clark (not yet available) Pete ClarkMusic for The Witness: Lament for Hector…by Anna-Wendy Stevenson (not yet available) www.annawendy.comStardust (excerpt)…by Funky String Band from And You May Find Yourself… (Shoogle)Cairo Waltz…by Funky String Band from And You May Find Yourself… (Shoogle)[Readings from "The Witness" by James Jauncey (Picador)]

Ride On…by Christy Moore from Ride On (Green Linnet)Never Tire of the Road…by Andy Irvine from Rude Awakening (Green Linnet)The Rain Journey North…by The Easy Club from The Easy Club (Greentrax)Ramblin’ Irishman…by Andy M. Stewart from Donegal Rain (Green Linnet)To Pad the Road wi’ Me…by Ossian from Seal Song (Iona)The Beggar Man…by Malinky from Last Leaves (Greentrax)Bonny Glenshee… by Jim Malcolm from Home (Beltane)ID Excerpt: Waltzes: The Innocent Railway/Daphne’s Trousers/A Bruxa…by The Easy Club from The Easy Club (Greentrax)Seven Yellow Gypsies…by Dolores Keane from There Was a Maid (Claddagh)The Shaskenn Reel…by Dolores Keane from There Was a Maid (Claddagh)The Rovin Ploughboy…by Malinky from 3 Ravens (Greentrax)Light on a Distant Shore: Arrival/New York Harbour/Art Work on the Land/In the New World…by Ossian from Light on a Distant Shore (Iona)Home…by Dougie MacLean from Inside the Thunder (Dunkeld) Rest and Be Thankful…by Battlefield Band from Out for the Night (Temple)Ryan’s Rambles…by Al Petteway from Land of the Sky (Maggie’s Music)

Program 1288: Muir of Gormack (January 31, 2008) Week 5

Circles of Stone…by Draiocht from The Druid and The Dreamer (Dog Music) Branohm…by Maire Breatnach from Branohm (Starc) Air bhith dhomhsa…by Martyn Bennett from Glen Lyon (Foot Stompin) Lament for Nechtan…by Maire Breatnach from Branohm (Starc)Psalmsong…by Alison Kinnaird from The Silver String (Temple) Briochan and Columba…by Shaun Davey from The Pilgrim (Tara) A’Ghrian…by Shaun Davey from The Pilgrim (Tara)ID Excerpt: Maarein…by Maire Breatnach from Branohm (Starc) Muir of Gormach…by Dougie MacLean from Muir of Gormack (Dunkeld) Johnny at the Races/Bracker on the Forty…by Draiocht from The Druid and the Dreamer (Dog Music)

Program 1287: Raise a Glass (January 24, 2008) Week 4

Willie Stewart/ Molly Rankin…..by Eddi Reader from Sings the Songs of Robert Burns (Compass)Sae Will We Yet…by Tony Cuffe from Sae Will We Yet (Greentrax)Tail Toddle…by Tony Cuffe from Sae Will We Yet (Greentrax)The Keg of Brandy…by Karan Casey from Chasing the Sun (Shanachie)The Warlock/The Arras Fisherman/The Rights of Man…by Bachue from A Certain Smile (Culburnie)The Jug of Punch…by Altan from Island Angel (Green Linnet)ID Excerpt: The Beaten Track…by Bachue from A Certain Smile (Culburnie)Green Grows the Laurel…by Kris Drever from Black Water (Compass)Tomorrow is a Long Time…by The Black Family from The Black Family (Dara)When the Night is Young…by Jim Malcolm from Tam o’Shanter and Other Tales (Beltane)Old Bush/Expect the Unexpected…by John Doyle from Wayward Son (Compass)Somewhere Along the Road…by Cathie Ryan from Somewhere Along the Road (Shanachie)The Last Pint…by Pierre Bensusan from Nice Feeling (Zebra Acoustic)The Parting Glass…by The Voice Squad from Many’s the Foolish Youth (Tara)Bill Harte’s/Blue Eyes/A Lovely Madness….by Beoga from A Lovely Madness (Beoga Music)

An Honorable Peace/The Drip….by William Jackson from Duan Àlbanach (Mill Records) Threefold Flame…by William Jackson from Heart Music (Iona) Dunnichen (excerpt)…by William Jackson from Duan Àlbanach (Mill Records) Lia Fail: The Stone of Destiny (excerpt)…by William Jackson from Duan Àlbanach (Mill Records) Iona Theme…by Ossian from Dove Across the Water (Iona) ID Excerpt: The Tree...by William Jackson from Land of Light (Mill Records) Port Lennox…by Ossian from The Carrying Stream (Greentrax) Abbey Craig…by William Jackson from Inchcolm (Linn) Eily Ghael Chiun…by Gráinne Hambley & William Jackson from Masters of the Celtic Harp (Mill Records) Molendinar…by William Jackson from Land of Light (Mill Records) Lady Margaret…by William Jackson from Duan Albanach (Mill Records)

Program 1284: Family Gathering (January 3, 2008) Week 1

The Swelkie/The Teran…by Jennifer & Hazel Wrigley from Mither O’ The Sea (Greentrax) The Busker on the Bridge…by Nightnoise from A Different Shore (Windham Hill) Spanish Lady…by Maighread & Triona Ní Dhomhnaill from Between The Two Lights (Idir an Dá Sholas) (Green Linnet) The Butterfly…by The Bothy Band from After Hours (Green Linnet) False Fly on the Road…by Donal Lunny from Coolfin (Blue Note) Polkas…by Donal Lunny from Coolfin (Blue Note) Coinnleach Glas an Fhómhair…by Manus Lunny from Tráthnóna Eile (Tuilleadh Eolais)Far Over the Forth…by Cilla Fisher from A Celebration of Scottish Music (Temple) Mrs. Martha Knowles/The Pitnacree Ferryman…by Silly Wizard from Live Wizardry (Green Linnet) Lindsay…by Archie Fisher from Will Ye Gang, Love (Green Linnet) Will Ye Gang, Love…by The Black Family from The Black Family (Dara) In A Lifetime…by Clannad with Bono from Themes (Celtic Heartbeat) The Sound of Sleat…by Capercaillie from Choice Language (Vertical) An Drochaid Chliutach…by Eilidh Shaw from Heepirumbo (Greentrax)